Group Show at ArtSouth in Gore New Zealand

Group Exhibition at ArtSouth in Gore New Zealand!!

Beverly Claridge
Julie Greig -
Michael Holland -
Daina O'Hagan -
Jane Riley -
Louwenda Robinson


From my perspective, this is an interesting mix of artwork on display at the beautiful gallery at the historic Old Post Office upstairs in Gore, New Zealand. Bob Martin, gallery proprietor, and his university summer intern, Paul, cheerily provides advise and information on all the artists and artwork there. For me, it is worth a journey just to visit with these two knowledgeable gentlemen.

In this exhibition, I am presenting my Stewart Island series, as well as providing three studies from my current series slated to be on display in early 2009. The series has the working title, "Ephemeral Perceptions" and explores visionary aspects of human existance, such as hope, aspiration, values, and ideals. I can't remember when I've had so much fun in studio, and can hardly wait to premiere this group of works. They are all slated for national contests next year, with the finale of hosting the entire collection in the exhibition at ArtSouth.

Whew! What a Blessed Year!!!

It's been busy, but blessed 18 months!! One daughter married! Two others blessed us with a granddaughter and a grandson and our two boys are in their last year of highschool! Of course, then there was our trip to the US and a kitchen remodel when we returned. Then google did some remodeling of their own and I couldn't access my Blogger. But I've finally worked it out and here I am.

And now, I'm gearing up for exhibitions next year and the year after. The working title for my solo exhibition in "Ephemeral Perception", which will explore our everyday lives alongside the vastness and expanse of the universe. It is a more visionary direction for my artwork.

Included in this post is an image of one of the preparatory studies I am doing for the exhibition. I'll upload a slightly larger jpeg as soon as I locate it on my computer. I'd love your comments.

There's No Place Like Home

I love returning "home" to Kansas. To my roots. I've lived a few other places in my life...Kansas City, Ohio, California, and now New Zealand. Southland, New Zealand is now my real home...where I hang my hat. Where I've decided to be happy for this part of my life. But a trip to Wichita really helps me appreciate some of the family influences in my life.

My folks, Charles and Dorothy, are decent, rather ordinary human to all who would take just a momentary glance at them. But to those who really know them--those who have a history with them and know the story of their lives both together and before they met---they are quite extraordinary. Very strong, very determined, bedrock values and beliefs in God, Nation, Family and Friends. Mindful to help those in need. Well liked by most and well-respected by all who know them.

How do you embody all these things and more in a painting? I had to try. A painting of Mom and Dad on their own, to me, would be a hollow painting. I wish I would have had more time to include even more of the hundreds of people these two have influenced. I was spoiled for choice with the dozen photo albums, plus boxes of old photos.

I am pleased with these paintings. I see dad with his beloved dog, Maggie. I look at the atlases and almanacs, the subject of many dinner table quizes during my childhood. I am thankful because I know where most countries mentioned in the news are, thanks to him. I am grateful because he always embued in us love for books and probably a love for pets, too.

On my mom's painting, I love her arms. My mom has incredibly strong arms. They've always been used helping others and working hard, and they give the most wonderful hugs. On the table is her Bible. The sole authority in her life. I wanted to paint her laughter. She is always laughing. My memory of that is probably better than any attempt to express it in paint.

I am very fortunate to have two great persons I can call mom and dad.

Now I am back home in New Zealand. I've re-visited my roots and now have returned, busily establishing new roots here. Thank you, mom and dad, for such a good beginning.

Paint's a Flyin'!

(Jpeg shows Hapene)
I've been painting like mad since my last post. I have produced 4 paintings from my Stewart Island adventure and they are now on display at Stewart Island Adventure's Rakiura Gallery. They are also available by linking to my "Newest Artwork" gallery on Gallery Direct.

I've also achieved a sense of completion in finishing the "Wini Series", which are two paintings, "Hapene" and "Raranga", featuring well known and respect flax weaver Wini Solomon of Aparima, Riverton in New Zealand. I had originally planned to have this pair of paintings ready for "Noble People Treasured Land", but decided, as I got closer to the exhibition cut off date, I had to have more time to get it right, so I didn't include it. It was important to me for this project to be done properly. Well, I did complete it and it resides happily, for the moment, at Alan and Wini Solomon's "Maori Crafts Studio".

Besure to visit my online portfolio at Gallery Direct to see all my Stewart Island Series, plus I've completed a couple of paintings from a winter-time(southern hemisphere) visit to Glenorchy up in the Southern Lakes District of the South Island of New Zealand.

Beverly Claridge---Art Kudos --2006 Finalist!

Beverly Claridge's work titled "A Vintage Day" was selected as a finalist entry in the 2006 Art Kudos International Online Exhibition. Selections were made from more than 1000 works of art submitted by 366 artists representing 32 countries. A total of 107 works of art from 97 artists were chosen for the exhibition. On August 15th view the exhibition and the award winners selected by this year's juror, Shannon Richardson.

News Flash!! Beverly Claridge July 2006 Featured Artist at Gallery Direct

I am pleased to announce that I have been chosen by Gallery Direct (www.gallerydir.com) to be the July 2006 featured artist, with samples of my art and an interview. Click here to read THE INTERVIEW . You can discover a bit of the thinking that goes on inside my head when I go to create art.

For those artists who are looking to get onto the web, Gallery Direct is an excellent venue. For a very reasonable cost, you can present your art online in a professional, easy-to-use manner. No muss, no fuss, and very good customer service by Dave Yelen and Maggie Bresden.

Onwards and Upwards

For me, "Noble People Treasured Land" was a success. Sales of both some original artwork and reproductions, as well as comments, in general,were encouraging.

But, no time to rest in the afterglow. To quote John C. Maxwell, "Yesterday ended last night. Today matters." So onward and upwards in my career.

Earlier in June, I was delighted to be able to visit Stewart Island, New Zealand. My daughter works at Rakiura Gallery selling everything but the fixtures. Her employer is now exhibiting my artwork, "Kai Moana" as well as "Storm Rising" and Storm Ending" in their lovely gallery. My main reason for the ferry ride across the Foveaux Strait to Oban was to photograph this pristine environment in order to create artwork.

This was my first visit to Stewart Island. What a national treasure! Pristine, remote and lovely. The sunny winter weather, with the very few visitors to island, especially compared to summertime, added to the sense of experiencing something special. I especially enjoyed my water taxi ride around Patterson Inlet with Peter Cox. The water was still, the sun bright and the air crystal clear.

The next day I felt extremely privaleged to be able to experience Ulva Island. This small island inside Patterson Inlet is a sanctuary for New Zealand-only plants and animals. Because of the isolation, it is easier to keep predatory animals away from kiwi and saplings in the bush. It was simply awe-inspiring to walk through the bush. I especially enjoyed my encounter with the waka birds, a cheeky and bold cousin of sorts to the shy kiwi, which is flightless as well.

When you visit New Zealand, I very much encourage you to make the effort to visit Southland. Make sure you go the extra mile(or kilometer or so) and take the short ferry or plane ride to Stewart Island. If you love experiencing magnificent, pristine nature at it's best, you will not be
disappointed.

Allusion and Illusion: Kees Bruin Retrospective

The Noble People, Treasured Land exhibition at Anderson Park is going very well, thank you. Good sales and lovely comments from those visiting. The exhibition ends this Sunday, 30th April. If you visit or live in Southland, I hope you will stop in.

One of the persons to whom I attribute quite a bit of influence on my style is someone I've discovered in the last year, New Zealand artist Kees Bruin. His influence on my art will probably be more evident in my future works. I am simply in awe of Bruins mastery and style of painting. He brands his style as Visionary Superrealism. To the best I understand it, he uses photographs to as a reference point or a beginning and pushes the realms of reality.

Bill and I decided to treat ourselves by making the long journey to Christchurch (clear from the bottom of the South Island) to see his work up close and personal at Christchurch Art Gallery .

It was well worth the trouble. It was like finally being able to meet a longtime penpal with whom you've mailed photos back and forth. Actually, in this day and age, more like finally meeting someone you meet on the internet. In other words, the photos on his website, KeesBruin.com are wonderful. But in person...I simply couldn't speak for the first several minutes upon viewing them. The only real "problem" is that there were so many other admirers present that day, it was difficult to get a full unobstructed view. But, I was so happy to see so many made the extra effort to see this outstanding exhibition on Anzac Day.

Discovering Mr. Bruin's style has caused me to reexamine my approach to painting. I don't see myself going for his hyperrealistic style, but I enjoy the "visionary" aspect of his paintings. I now plan to approach my paintings by asking myself even more questions before I put brush to canvas. By asking and answering questions before I start painting, I have found a lot of freedom during the actual painting process. Adding the visionary aspect to those questions and answers is the direction I plan to take for now. Watch and stay tuned.

I cordially invite you to comment on this post, any previous post or any aspect of my website, BeverlyClaridge.com

Opening: Noble People Treasured

Even the glorious autumn weather was celebrating Southland for the Opening of Noble People, Treasured Land. Wine, food, and good conversation flowed all afternoon along with the lovely the music celebrations of Michael Samild, classical guitar extraordinaire, and new Southland transplant from Sydney, Australia; Foveaux Harmony Chorus, which is the Southland Chapter of Sweet Adeleines; and Invercargill Symphonia Chamber Strings. "It makes me glad to be a Southlander" was the sentiment most often expressed of the artwork and the event.

Beverly Claridge, Fine Artist

Beverly Claridge, Fine Artist

Hello to all visitors to my guest and comment blog. If you live in Southland, New Zealand, I hope you will take the opportunity to see "Noble People, Treasured Land" starting 2nd April through 30 April, 2006 at the beautiful historic Anderson Park Art Gallery in Invercargill, New Zealand.

Images from "Noble People, Treasured Land" will be posted on BeverlyClaridge.com via a link to my Gallery Direct site.

If you link to this blog after attending the exhibition at Anderson Park, please tell me what you think of the exhibit, what your favourite artwork in the Noble People, Treasured Land collection is, and what other subject matter you think I might have included as representative of Southland. I hope you enjoy looking at the works as much as I enjoyed creating them. I look forward to hearing from you